British Cycling and HSBC UK are celebrating a record year for participation with nearly half a million people taking part in one of the organisation’s recreational cycling programmes in 2017.

Over 456,000 people participated in a ride organised by British Cycling in 2017, which is a record high for the governing body and a massive 62% increase on the previous year.

The numbers represent a fantastic first year for British Cycling’s partnership with HSBC UK, with the organisation’s flagship participation programme, HSBC UK City Ride, which visited 14 cities across the country, contributing 110,000 participants to that figure.

Particularly encouraging milestones in 2017 also included the announcement that over 200,000 young people took part in HSBC UK Go-Ride activity while British Cycling’s HSBC UK Breeze programme, the organisation’s initiative to get more women riding bikes also surpassed its target in a year which saw British Cycling announce that it was on track to inspire one million more women to cycle by 2020.

British Cycling chief executive, Julie Harrington said:“It’s incredible that nearly half a million people took part in a British Cycling participation event in 2017. The goal of our partnership with HSBC UK is to turn Britain into a great cycling nation and this is a brilliant start.

“What is particularly encouraging is the huge volume of young people that are getting into the sport through our HSBC UK Go-Ride programme. If we are to be successful in turning cycling into our national sport and the number one choice for all short journeys then we need to ensure that the next generation grow up with a love of cycling that they take with them throughout their lives.”

HSBC UK’s Head of British Cycling partnership, Luke Harper said: “Our partnership with British Cycling is all about turning Britain into a greener, fitter and healthier nation.

“We want two million to cycle by 2020, so to get nearly half a million people on bikes in the first year of the partnership is a great start.

“Cycling really is a sport for everyone, whether you commute to work or ride with your family at the weekend and with our participation programmes set to get bigger and better in 2018, there will never be more opportunities for people from all walks of life to get on a bike and discover the joy of cycling.”

If you want to get involved in cycling there are a number of recreational activities currently available at www.letsride.co.uk